Lisbon leaving pool half full — or is it half empty — for winter

September 29, 2012

LISBON - The village is taking a different approach when it shutters the community pool for the winter, choosing to leave some water inside instead of draining it dry.

This is being done at the suggestion of Councilman Joseph Morenz, who reported at this week's meeting a representative from Ohio Pool Works recommended they leave some water in the pool.

Ohio Pool is the company hired by council in the spring for $11,800 to locate and repair leaks at the Sadie Van Fossan Pool. The company representative said draining the pool actually increases the chances of cracking and leaks.

For $1,800, Ohio Pool offered to prepare the pool for winter by partially draining it and treating the remaining water to prevent it from becoming the consistency and color of green pea soup over the course of the winter.

Morenz believes it is worth a try. "The idea of having them close the pool now is so we don't have the problem we had in the spring," he said.

Council agreed and voted to appropriate the $1,800 for Ohio Pool.

In other business, council agreed to spend a combined $9,000 to resurface the section of North Market Street in front of Village Hall and the north side of Jerome Street.

This was after village street department foreman Jim Oliver obtained quotes at council's request on how much it would cost to resurface North Jefferson Street, from High to Jerome ($39,680) and East Spruce Street, from Jefferson to Market ($13,254).

No extra funding is available for either project this year, which is why council decided to resurface Jerome Street and in front of Village Hall. The village is already scheduled to spend $37,000 to repave the entire length of West High Street in 2013.

In other action:

- Council also voted to switch uniform and mat suppliers, from Cintas to Unifirst, which is expected to save the village more than $200 a month. The village currently spends about $650 per month to replace mats and clothing worn by he water and street employees.

- Council President Roger Gallo asked what had become of negotiations to lease village property for shale gas development. He was told the person to ask was village solicitor Virginia Barborak, who was absent from the meeting.

- Oliver reminded council he was supposed to be evaluated more than six months ago after his probationary period had expired but that has yet to occur. Mayor Dan Bing said he will have to schedule a meeting with the council personnel committee.